CRPF removes 3 of its oldest bunkers in city

‘22 MORE TO BE REMOVED’

DEMILITARIZING SRINAGAR?

SHABIR IBN YUSUF

Srinagar, Dec 14: On a rainy day on Friday, Central Reserve Police Force removed three oldest bunkers from city. These bunkers were removed from Amira Kadal, Batamaloo, and Bagihas areas of Srinagar. The bunkers were being operated by the personnel of 132 and 157 Battalion of CRPF respectively. In Srinagar, according to police records, there are total of 406 bunkers of forces and around 39 have been removed since November 2010. Speaking to Greater Kashmir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Syed Aashiq Hussain Bukhari said after the removal of these three bunkers, more will be removed in near future. “The process will go on,” he said. These bunkers, according to police are the oldest ones and were irritants for the public. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CRPF, north Srinagar, P K Pandey said bunkers have been removed and CRPF personnel have relocated. He said that eight sections of CRPF were relocated after the removal of the bunkers. “From Bagihas three Sections were removed. From Reck Chowk two and from Amira Kadal two sections were removed,” the senior CRPF official said. DIG Pandey said that 22 more being removed in near future. “IGP Kashmir has identified all these bunkers for removal,” he said and added that CRPF will vacate all the identified bunkers once alternate accommodation is provided. Presently, 52 CRPF battalions are operating in Kashmir valley. In Srinagar only, 25 battalions of CRPF are present and they are working under the command of Inspector General (IG) administration at Nishat. 27 other battalions are working under IG operations CRPF based in Zewan area. Pertinently, the bunkers became a common sight in Kashmir in 1989 and after that. When the CRPF took over from Border Security Force (BSF), many sandbag bunkers were given a wooden makeover with hut-like facade. The CRPF termed the makeover as a “beautification drive” to make the security arrangements presentable before the tourists. However, within a year, cemented structures replaced many.

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